Struggles & Identity > Mental Issues

Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type II.

Damn, I knew it.
I suspected it, and I went to see a psychiatrist today and damn it, even though I thought it was a possibility, it is really hard to deal with this new information.
I always thought I had a joyful personality with a hint of depression from some of my past experiences, but then I'm being diagnosed by a professional and everything now has another taste.
I don't think I'll be taking the medication... I'm in a neutral phase now, or so I think.
The psychiatrist said that 80% of the doctors have a mental health disorder, among which bipolar, she was trying to soothe me and convince me it was okay (even though I already seemed completely okay with it...) but damn is it hard to accept. I just didn't show it.
I wish me the best, and I wish all the people having it the best too.

Top | Newest First | Oldest First

UndeadSona · F

Same technically I'd only been formally diagnosed this year but they'd been suggesting it for much longer. I think it's just because I struggle to remember manic episodes as more than weeks of being the absolute greatest.

As far as meds 😒 I've been taking medication for a while but honestly I remember this one I used to be on was the best. Mentally anyway. I felt like a human being for the first time ever. I just kept vomiting/having extreme nausea when I woke up. Now I'm taking this boring shit but at least I can force myself to get up in the morning

View 4 more replies »

UndeadSona · F

@Friendlyperson no I am type 2 I'm pretty sure since I tend to have a large amount of immobilizing depression whenever I'm off meds

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@UndeadSona Im so sorry about that.
I really wish you a stable life soon where you'll feel quite satisfied with how life is in the healthiest way possible. 🙏

UndeadSona · F

@Friendlyperson I appreciate that, and wish you the same

Shadyglow · F

The more they stick derogatory and dehumanizing labels on us, completely unscientific by the way, the more we need to meditate on what is really "wrong" with us and then get better.

Truth is the only cure. You can do it too

BPolar is one percent of the population and its still a meaningless concept and imposed WIDELY for no good reason. Even the effing shrinks don't know what it means. Because they really couldn't care less what happens to their own patients or anyone else. They remind me of the lawyer$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

So please don't quote the DSM to me. Modern psychiatry is intere$$$$$$ted in one thing ONLY

Justmeraeagain · 56-60, F

I have social anxiety and depression.
That's not the whole me and I won't be defined by it

You are still you

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@Justmeraeagain Oh, that's beautiful. I know how this information should be taken for granted by anyone but it does hit different to me. Because for real at this point, I'm not sure what is the real me anymore. From which point of my life should I consider my personality as not me but the bipolar that's been guiding me?
I'm bordering the edge of feeling overjoyed again after 08 months of feeling really depressed, and I'm relishing in the situation, but I guess it's not me... and it sucks.

4meAndyou · F

I DO wish you the best. Just for your own peace of mind, be aware that among the sciences, psychiatry is the fuzziest and least accurate. As a trained medical professional, you are probably more qualified to diagnose yourself...and you have, really.

The bottom line is that you feel okay. You've had some upsets, and you are grieving, and that is all very normal.

There is no need to medicate.

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@4meAndyou Yeah, I agree with most of what you said. Thank you for your opinon and your time 🥰

4meAndyou · F

@Friendlyperson Anytime. 😊

Stygian · 26-30, M

Wow, this makes sense why you feel that way at work. I have a friend that started ti doubt himself and let his insecurities take over to the point that he felt he was messing up everything (despite getting promoted and recognized).

He ended up quitting because he kept feeling incompetent.

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@Stygian Oh my god. I feel so sorry for him! How is he faring now? What did he do and is he recieving treatment for it now?

I feel so much sympathy for him because I was this close to quitting myself when I was at my lowest point. I'm glad I had my loved ones talk me out of it.
I really hope he's found some peace now and doesn't regret what he did.

Stygian · 26-30, M

@Friendlyperson no matter how much i reassured him, he couldnt get out of it. He's at another job now but hates it.

He did take treatment which is helping him now.. but his problem is that he smoked alot of weed fo cope with the anxiety and it did alot of damage to his brain so now he forgets alot even though he stopped it.

I was able to relate to him, because i think i also have bipolar (not diagnosed). Very similar symptoms.

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@Stygian Oh goodness... that's heartbreaking to hear.
You must a good friend to stay by his side despite all the suffering and self deprecation.
I wish he's recieving the right treatment and therapy.
And from what you told me you're describing his depressive episodes. I'm sorry that you are going through that yourself. :(

AnnabelleLeigh · F

You don't have to agree with any diagnosis especially if they gave it without knowing you well yet. They misdiagnose all the time and push to get you on meds that can make you have even worse symptoms ...esp if its not for the actual issue you have. Do you own research and trust your intuition. Good luck. :)

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@AnnabelleLeigh
I did my researches actually, I went to the psychiatrist with the diagnosis in mind. But I'm not about to take any treatment until I get a second and perhaps third opinion.
Thank you for your concern, I appreciate it.

Cassieeeee · 31-35, F

Today? she gave you a diagnosis after your first appointment?

View 2 more replies »

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@Cassieeeee
She prescribed medication, but I'm planning to check another doctor to see if I actually need them.
No psychoeducation though, I already went to her with the diagnosis in my mind so yeah, I'm aware of everything so far...
Thank you for caring

Cassieeeee · 31-35, F

@Friendlyperson That's crazy, you should definitely get a second opinion.. 🤗

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@Cassieeeee Thank you for your care, I really do appreciate it.

496sbc · 36-40, M

Im so sorry to hear this

View 3 more replies »

496sbc · 36-40, M

@Friendlyperson unfortunately love. They are getting harder for me

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@496sbc I'm so sorry about that. I'm here if you want to talk. :(

496sbc · 36-40, M

@Friendlyperson definitely. I definitely do

Sidewinder · 36-40, M

I always thought there were only 3 types of depression.

Major depression, Minor depression and Manic depression.

UndeadSona · F

@Sidewinder Nah they've updated classifications since then multiple times. In fact I think they recently updated this year again

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@Sidewinder
As @UndeadSona said, classification are changing constantly.
I just explained bipolar in an earlier comment. You might wanna check that.

Sidewinder · 36-40, M

@Friendlyperson I know what "bipolar" is.

By definition, bipolar means "of or pertaining to two polar extremes."

Manic depressives, in this case, are known to experience sudden shifts or changes in moods and/or emotional states and oftentimes for reasons that don't seem apparent on the outside looking in.

Like they may be excited and energitic one moment, which is the "manic phase" and the next moment, they're "down in the dumps," which is the "depressive phase."

Of course, this is just my limited knowledge of it, so please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on any or all of this.

tindrummer · M

Lamictal has been effective for me for many years.

View 3 more replies »

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@tindrummer Turns out the 2nd psychiatrist gave me lamictal as well. I saw many people with BD had it and it helped them. What type of BD do you have?

tindrummer · M

@Friendlyperson Bipolar disorder - is that what you're asking?

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@tindrummer It is indeed.

Greyjedi · M

How many distinctions are there with bipolar? You mentioned you have type II.

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@Greyjedi
Bipolar means the alternation between depressive episodes and manic/hypomanic episodes during a codified period of time.
In type I, the manic episodes are severe and could lead to hospitalization due to risky behavior. The depressive episodes often stay a couple weeks, but is not necessary in diagnosis.

In type II, the patient has hypomanic episodes which are periods of high energy (overachievement period in my case) without much severity as the manic and might not disrupt the overall course of one's life. (No mania here, otherwise it would be classified as t1)
The depressive episodes are much severe than type one though.

So yeah, I'm stuck with T2...unfortunately.

SomeMichGuy · M

Wow...

How hard.

hmmmmmm...

View 1 more replies »

SomeMichGuy · M

@Friendlyperson Your self-awareness is commendable, but I would be cautious about medication avoidance.

Another opinion, good.

And I have no idea of levels of having this, but I do know a family whose Mom has it and won't take her meds to very bad effect...but extrapolating from sparse data (or a single datum!) is foolish.

These waters are navigable, but now you have to be extra-vigilant.

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@SomeMichGuy Ah, I understand. Thank you for the piece of advice, I'll definitely heed it.
I'll try to be extre vigilant as you said, wish me luck about that!

SomeMichGuy · M

@Friendlyperson Always!

basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M

My brother is bipolar.
It can be tough.

I can recommend the medication though. He's been taking it for a decade and hadn't had a manic or depressive episode in a decade

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@basilfawlty89 Oh, I really wish him well. Im sending you strength to you all.

tenente · 100+, M

that's tough, but so are you. keep your head down, tackle hard, you got this!

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@tenente Thank you, I'm doing my best...

NativePortlander1970

Personally I do not trust shrinks, they'll label breathing as a mental illness if they could.

View 4 more replies »

NativePortlander1970

@Friendlyperson You might be old enough to remember when no child left behind was started, one day you had recess and gym class, the next You had to sit in your desk all day to study, is it any wonder how "ADD/ADHD" and "autism" suddenly rose sky high since the early 00's?

Friendlyperson · 26-30, F

@NativePortlander1970
Well then, as a doctor I can agree and disagree at the same time.
Indeed, some doctors just try to put a diagnosis on you in order to benefit themselves and the companies.
And as much as mental illness doesn't sound so physical and real as other organic diseases it is still a dysregulation of the neurotransmitters in your brain that sometimes necessitates a medical intervention.

NativePortlander1970

@Friendlyperson Then have a licensed board certified neurologist perform necessary tests to determine if there's any legitimate issues, don't just prescribe pills willy nilly.

Add a comment...